Sycamore Park District hosts Daddy-Daughter Dance

SYCAMORE – Sunday was a night to remember for many local fathers and their daughters.

Several girls and their doting dads danced the night away Sunday at the Sycamore Park District's annual Daddy-Daughter Dance at St. Mary's Memorial Hall, 322 Waterman St. in Sycamore.

Lisa White, Recreation Supervisor at the park district, said the event was a great opportunity for the fathers and daughters to get out and enjoy themselves.

"All the little girls were so excited," she said. "They were smiling from ear to ear when they walked in."

The fathers and their daughters danced to songs like Psy's "Gangnam Style" and Justin Bieber's "Beauty and the Beat."

When it came to busting a move on the dance floor, White said there were definitely no shy dads this year.

"I'm very proud of the dads for getting out there," she said.

Jeff Jamrog said he and his 8-year-old daughter Amanda have made the Daddy-Daughter Dance an annual tradition. This was their third year attending the event.

Amanda, a student at West Elementary School in Sycamore, said she comes to the dance to hang out with her friends. One of her favorite moments of the night was forming a giant dance circle with her friends and their dads.

Jamrog said they enjoyed themselves and would definitely come back again next year.

Daddy-Daughter Dance newcomers Chad VanMastrigt and his 5-year-old daughter Allie also were excited to be at the dance this year.

"We're very impressed with the turnout and the quality of the event," he said.

The night was extra special for the daddy-daughter duo, who were treated to a free limousine ride to and from the dance courtesy of Blue Sky Limousine in DeKalb. Allie, a student at North Grove Elementary School, said it was the biggest limo she'd ever seen.

The pair won the limo ride in a raffle among those who had pre-registered for the dance.

VanMastrigt said he was shocked when he heard they had won.

"I thought they were joking," he said.

Although the night was all about fathers and daughters, White said mothers and sons weren't to be left out. The park district will host a mother-son bowling night in March.

The dance was open to all fathers and daughters throughout the community. White said she was very pleased with the turnout this year. Compared to last year's dance, she said this event had a much larger gathering, with more than 120 fathers and daughters in attendance.

The night consisted of dinner, dancing and Valentine's Day-themed raffles for the guests.

White said the best part of the dance was seeing the daughters have such a good time with their fathers.

"I love it when they get dressed up and come," she said. "It's so special for them."

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